How to guide - data administration

Coat key / role overview

User

Registered users can talk football in more than 500 Transfermarkt forums. Additionally, a free account allows you to propose corrections for players, managers, stadiums, and match sheets.

Friends

The circle of friends is the only Forum on Transfermarkt that does not focus exclusively on football. Access is limited, though. To become a member, contact the user "Fan". The "joining fee" of €10 will be donated to the Transfermarkt godson.

Expert

The "Expert" status allows users to evaluate how likely rumours are true, and to grade players after a match. These grades affect our stats and the Transfermarkt manager game.

Data scout

Data admins support all users in keeping Transfermarkt's data base as up to date and as exact as possible. Most data admins have special assignments, for example a certain competition. For an application form, click here..

Moderator

Moderators manage and moderate forums on Transfermarkt. Together, they decide how to handle infractions on Transfermarkt's site policy. Some moderators are also admins, and impose agreed sanctions. For an application form, click here..

Superadmin

Superadmins are hired employees of Transfermarkt GmbH & Co. KG. They work in different areas, for example editing, system administration, programming, or management. For current job vacancies, click here.

FAQ

1. Registration

Why should I register an account?

There are areas and functions which are only available for registered Transfermarkt users such as:

- Create and write posts
- Send private messages to other registered users
- Set several individual options in the user profile
- Correct and edit player, club and manager data and match sheets
- Participate in the manager game, betting community and "My TM"

Yes, you can. The option to delete your account can be found in the user profile.

4. Registration

Can I create more than one account?

No. One account per user. Creating several account is not wanted and may result in exclusion.

5. Registration

Why was my registration rejected?

Using incorrect or false information or an inappropriate user name could be reasons for the rejection. Email addresses such as spam@xyz.com or xyz@thrashmail.com are also inappropriate.

6. Registration

Why can’t I login?

Did you register an account? You have to register an account in the first place before you can login. If you are already registered but you still cannot login please check your user name and your password. All new created accounts need to be activated by an administrator which could take some time.

7. Registration

Why does my account log out automatically?

In case that you did not activate the options to stay logged in, you will be logged in for just a certain time. If you want to keep logged in, select the option during login.

8. Registration

I forgot my password.

No worries! You can get a new password. Please click "Forgot password?" below the login button. Follow the instructions and you should then be able to login again.

9. Registration

I registered an account a certain time ago but I cannot login anymore.

Please check your username and your password. It might be possible that your account was locked by the administrators due to a rule violation. In case that you didn’t write a forums post it could be possible that it was deleted. It is quite common that user accounts with no posts have been deleted to reduce the size of the database.

10. General

Does Transfermarkt use cookies?

Using cookies in this forum is optional. They make the using of the forum easier and more comfortable. Cookies are used to activate different functions. For example, you can stay logged in without entering a username and password. All registered users have the option to stay logged in. In this case, the username and the password are saved in a cookie on the computer.

11. General

How do I change settings or profile information?

Your own data can be easily and quickly changed under "User profile".

12. General

What do the "Coats" next to the username mean?

The Coat symbols label the different roles at Transfermarkt.

- White Coat: The "Transfermarkt Experts". They can evaluate the probability of a rumour and grade players after a match.
- Green Coat: Members of the Transfermarkt's Circle of Friends. The Circle of Friends is an internal forum in which registered Transfermarkt users can discuss about all topics and subjects which have no room in other forums.
- Blue Coat: The Data Scouts. Mostly, they have a determined remit such as a certain competition. They take care about that all data on players, managers, match sheets are updated in a timely manner.
- Red Coat: The moderators. They ensure the Transfermarkt rules are not broken and take care about their determined remit such as a forum. In addition, they discuss sanctions with other moderators in case of a rule violation.
- Yellow Coat: Super admins. They are all permanent employees of the Transfermarkt GmbH & Co. KG.

13. General

What are administrators?

Administrators have the highest control level on Transfermarkt. They have the right to perform certain actions such as assigning rights, suspending users, creating user groups, naming moderators and so on. In addition, they have the rights of a moderator in every forum.

14. General

Why can’t I post in the Rumour Mill?

Recently registered users do not have the writing right in the Rumour Mill but it is not a suspension or a warning. Normally, the users automatically get the right when shown that they follow the Transfermarkt rules. The activation must not be related with the number of written posts. It is a system so that users don’t post spam in the forums which may result in a suspension. An early and manual activation is not possible.

15. General

How can I join the betting community?

Just click on "Betting Community" under "My TM". The participation is free of charge.

16. General

How can I join the manager game?

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17. General

Can I change my username?

A user can change his username if he has written more than 2500 posts and has got a Coat (green, blue or red). Otherwise, he needs to register a new account. If he has met the criteria he can send a private message to the user "TKhamburg" with the following information: old username, amount of posts and his new username. Changing the username costs 10 Euros which will be donated to a charity. Further details are listed in the Circle of Friends. The proposed username shouldn’t be already in use.

18. Data Work

How do I make a player correction?

Only registered and logged in users can make a correction. The correction form can be found by clicking on the gear wheel on the right side in the player profile’s overview.

19. Data Work

How can I create new people (player, manager, referees) or clubs on Transfermarkt?

New players can just be added by moderators and data scouts. In general we only accept players which currently play or played official matches in a competition which is covered in the Transfermarkt database.

20. Data Work

How can I add performance data of players, managers or referees?

The performance data of a person cannot be edited because they are based on the entered match sheets which means that only the performances which are maintained on Transfermarkt are displayed.

21. Data Work

How do I make a player correction?

Several correction forms can be used by clicking on the gear wheel on the right side in the player profile. Please do just fill out the fields which should be edited.

Please state the length of a person in metres (for example: 1,83).

Please add only clubs which haven’t been listed in the transfer history under "Junior Clubs".

Please add only useful information under "Further Information" such as a special football occurrence or contract information (For example: release clause or add-ons). In addition, the information should be displayed in an appropriate form (no spelling mistakes and in chronological order).

Under "New Transfers", the new club has to be entered in the field "Moving to".

Then the date of the transfer will be entered. In case of a loan deal, please select "is" under the column "Loan" and add the transfer fee if there is a fee. In case that the loan player will return to his parent club, please select "was" under the column "Loan" and enter a dash (-) in the Transfer Fee field. The return date for loans which end at the end of a season is June 30th – not July 1st.

There are five special clubs:

1. If it is unknown which club the player will join or from which club he arrived, please enter "Unknown" in the field. .
2. If the player was a free agent or will become one, please enter "Free agent” in the field. .
3. If the player makes a career break, please enter "Career break" in the field. .
4. If the player retires from football, please enter "Retired" in the field. .
5. If the player has died, please enter "---"...
Besides entering the sum of the transfer fee (Please enter in Euros and without punctuation mark – for example: 300000 instead of 300.000 Euros), there are three other options.

1. ? = Transfer fee unknown
2. ablösefrei = no transfer fee (the system will translate „ablösefrei“ automatically on all Transfermarkt domains)
3. - = no fee (Transfer within the club from one team to another, End of Career or End of Loan).

All injuries of a player are listed in the section "Injuries". Please use the correct date format DD.MM.YYYY. Skip the end date if it is unknown when the player will return. In that case, the term "Unknown" will be displayed in the player profile.

If a needed injury is not listed, please contact a Moderator or a Data Scout.

Under "Suspensions & Absences", all other reasons why a player couldn’t be available can be selected.

Caution! Useful links which can prove your corrections can be entered in the field "Notice to Data Manager" which helps a lot to check a correction.

22. Data Work

When will my corrections be taken over?

Corrections will not be taken over right after sending because they have to be checked first by the administrators or the data scouts. Due to the high number of corrections, it can take some time to prove and accept the correction. When the corrections has been accepted, it also can take up to 30 minutes until the change can be displayed on the website because the data are stored temporarily.

23. Data Work

Which nationality should be selected first if a player has dual citizenship?

If a player has two or more citizenships, the citizenship has to be selected on Transfermarkt which is mostly associated with the footballer because of football reasons, for instance he plays for the national team. The second and further citizenship will be added as well.

24. Data Work

Which is the correct country of birth?

The country has to be selected in the field of Country of Birth which existed on the birthday of the player. If, for example, a player was born in Dresden in 1988, his country of birth is East Germany (GBR). Additional information can be listed in the field "Place of birth - additional information".

25. Data Work

How do I make a correction on a manager profile?

Please click on the gear wheel on the right side of the manager profile. Personal data and previous spells can be added and edited under "Profile correction". The achievements can be corrected under "Titles & victories".

Caution! Useful links which can prove your corrections can be entered in the field "Notice to Data Manager" which helps a lot to check a correction.

26. Data Work

How do I make a correction on a referee profile?

Please click on the gear wheel on the right side of the referee profile.

Please add only important tournaments (Olympics, World Cups, Euros, Youth Championships) and finals (World Cup, Euros, Champions League, Europa League) refereed by the referee in the field "Participation in major tournaments".

Please add only significant awards (referee of the year, for instance) in the field "Awards received".

27. Data Work

How do I make a correction on a club profile?

Please click on the gear wheel on the right side of the club profile. Several information, achievements and details can be added and edited.

28. Data Work

How do I make a correction for a stadium?

The information about a stadium can be edited in the relevant correction form in the correction menu of the club profile.

29. Data Work

How do I change or add photos of players, managers or referees?

Users cannot upload photos but can send them via e-mail to info@transfermarkt.de. The minimum size of the photo must be larger than 130 (height) x 100 (width) pixel. It could happen that photo will be not accepted in case of bad quality of the photo itself. The picture format is JPG. Please do not send photos of football action. Important note: We need a written statement that Transfermarkt are allowed to use the photo for free and for an unlimited period. A statement via e-mail is fine. But it is very important that the copyrights of the photographer and the clubs are respected and that the permission is allowed. Therefore, it is useless to send the link of the club’s homepage with the note where to find the photos. It is not necessary that users ask the clubs for the photos or the permission. Transfermarkt is in regular contact to get permissions. Please send the photos to info@transfermarkt.de.

30. Data Work

How do I change or add photos of stadiums?

The minimum size of the photo must be larger than 350 (height) X 230 (width) Pixel. Stadium photos can be send via e-mail to info@transfermarkt.de. A written statement with the permission to use them (see point 29 to get more information).

The market values of players from lower leagues and foreign leagues, which are displayed on Transfermarkt, are discussed in the respective forums or respective threads. In addition, other Transfermarkt domains have forums for the market value discussion about the respective local leagues.

32. Data Work

How can I make a correction of a historic squad?

The "Historical squad correction" can be found by clicking on the gear wheel and under the menu option "History". The squad of a previous season can be edited by searching for player names in the field "Players". The name or the ID number of the player can be a good help to identify the player. It is also possible to set the captain of the squad.

33. Data Work

How can I make a correction of a (historic) match sheet?

The matches or fixtures can be found on the data site of the competition or of the club.

Already existing match sheets are marked by the result in blue lettering while the match sheets which are not available yet can be identified by the grey result.

The correction form of the match sheet appears after clicking on the result.

1.) First, the lineups of both teams, the half time result, the attendance and the referee team have to be added. Therefore, 11 players must be included in the starting XI (S). If known, please add bench players (E). It also possible to add interesting or notable incidents in the field "Special incidents" such as manager suspensions or an abandoned match.
2.) If editing a match sheet of a previous season and a player is not listed in the squad there is the possibility to add this player in the correction form "Historical squad correction". This correction has to be checked and accepted by the data scouts or the administrators which means that it take some time to make this change in the respective match sheet.
3.) Then, the goal scorers, assist providers, substitutions and penalties can be added in the match sheet.

Caution! Useful links which can prove your corrections can be entered in the field "Notice to Data Manager" which helps a lot to check a correction.

34. Data Work

How do I add missing international game?

If an international match (especially friendlies) is missing, please contact the responsible data scout or moderator of the country. View the team overview under "The TM Team" to find the responsible one. Users are therefore asked to add the match sheet of the relevant match.

35. Data Work

How do I change the crest of a club?

Missing crests can be sent to info@transfermarkt.de. The size must be larger than 130 Pixels in height. The PNG format and a transparent picture background are preferred.

36. Data Work

How do I report a missing club linking?

If teams of a club are not linked with each other (all teams of a club can be displayed by clicking on the plus sign next to the crest), please report it the responsible data scout or moderator. View the team overview under "The TM Team" to find the responsible one.

37. Privacy

Why are some data not displayed in the player profiles?

For data protection reasons, Transfermarkt doesn't display some certain data of some players. This applies in general for amateur players and youth players?

38. Subscriptions

How can I subscribe to news about my club?

All registered users have the opportunity to receive news about the favorite clubs via email or personal message. But the user must have set his favorite club in his profile which can be made by selecting the club in the section "Profile". Notifications can be selected after clicking on the gear wheel and then on "Notifications".

39. Subscriptions

How can I get notifications about certain forum’s topic?

All registered users have the opportunity to receive notifications on the latest posts of selected forum’s topics via email or private message. Notifications can be selected after clicking on the gear wheel and then on "Notifications". In addition, all topics have a "Notification" button.

40. Other

What is "My Tm"?

"My TM" is available for all registered Transfermarkt users and gives them the opportunity to connect with other users.

41. Sanctions

There are several sanctions on Transfermarkt in case of misconducts. The following list should help to understand the sanction system of Transfermarkt.

1. Post deleted
Reason: An example for this could be a new created topic could be deleted if it could lead to conflicts or spam.
Sanction: No sanction for the respective user.
________________________________________

2. Note for the user
Reason: An example for this could be a new created topic could be deleted if it could lead to conflicts or spam.
Sanction: No sanction for the respective user. This could come in combination with the deletion of the user’s post.
________________________________________

3. Admonitions
Reason: Minor violations against Transfermarkt rules such as insulting a club.
Sanction: The user will be warned and be reminded of the rules. Note: Two admonitions don’t automatically result into a warning.
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4. Warnings
Reason: Serious violations against Transfermarkt rules such as insulting other users. A warning can be seen as a Yellow Card.
Sanction: A warning will last for six months. In case of a second serious violation, the user will be suspended.
________________________________________

5. Account bans
Reason: A second serious violation within six months but a previous warning is not needed.
Sanction: These bans last for four week. Longer bans are possible in case of more serious cases or a reoccurrence.
________________________________________

6. Permanent prohibition of use
Reason: Very serious violations against Transfermarkt rules.
Sanction: Permanent prohibition of use on all Transfermarkt websites.
________________________________________

7. Temporary ban
Reason: Massive spam or disturbance of the community peace.
Sanction: The user can be banned by a moderator on short notice until the case will be resolved by the moderator. The temporary ban must not lead to an actual ban but normally, that will happen.
________________________________________

Further explanations: <
All moderators can decide in their responsible forum on their own about sanctions 1-3. In addition, they can decide about sanction 7, whether or not they are responsible for the respective forum.

All cases which could lead to a warning or a ban are discussed by a bigger group of moderators. The final decision is in the hand of the administrators. Warnings are given by the responsible moderators while bans are given by the administrators.

42. Readable posts

What are readable posts?

On Transfermarkt, posts can be marked as readable to highlight them if they are good and their authors put much effort into creating it. The functions is connected the duration of being a member. A selection of readable posts are displayed on the Transfermarkt starting page. Furthermore, it is possible to view only the readable posts in a thread.

43. Readable posts

Which posts are readable?

There are no fixed criteria which make a post readable. In the end, it depends on the subjective evaluation of the user. But the evaluation should follow the certain guidelines. First of all, the function should not be used such as the Facebook "Like" button. The function is not about agreeing or disagreeing about the respective post. In fact, it can be seen as a mark of quality. The posts don’t need to reflect the own opinion but need to contain interesting information in general.

But still, it is up to users and their opinion about which posts are readable and which are not. Very short posts, teachings to the user, jokes and videos should not be marked as readable. Therefore, the function is not available on this kind of short posts.

44. Readable posts

What do the two numbers on "Readable Posts" in the forum mean?

The left number shows the number of ratings for readable posts and the right number displays the amount of posts which were at least once marked as readable.